• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.385-390
• /
• 2000

Background: To review the experience that used both ventricular assist device(VAD) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO) for children with congential heart disease requiring postcardiotomy mechanical circulatory support. Material and Method: Between March 1993 and May 1995, we applied mechanical assist device using centrifugal pump to the 16 patients who failed to be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass(n=15) or had been in cardiogenic shock in intensive care unit(n=1). The diagnosis were all congenital heart diseases and the ages of patients ranged from 20 days to 10 years (mean age=2.5$\pm$3.5 years). Result: The methods of mechanical circulatory support were LVAD(n=13), BVAD (n=1), and ECMO(n=2). The mean assist times were 54.0$\pm$23.7 hours. Post-assist complications were in orders: bleeding, acute renal failure, ventricular failure, respiratory failure, infection, and neurologic complication. It was possible for 9 patients(56.3%) to be weaned from assist device and 5 patients(31.3%) were discharged from hospital. There was no statistical significant between hospital discharged group and undischarged group by age, body weight, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and assist time. Conclusion: The ventricular assist device is an effective modality in salvaging the patient who failed to be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass, but multiple factors must be considered for improving the results of mechanical circulatory support ; such as patient selection, optimal time of starting the assist device, and prevention and management of the complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.105-108
• /
• 2019

Right heart failure is a relatively common complication after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Severe right heart failure can be managed by temporary right ventricular assist device (RVAD) implantation. However, trans-sternal RVAD insertion requires a subsequent third sternotomy for cannula removal. Herein, we present a case of RVAD insertion via a left anterior mini-thoracotomy after LVAD implantation in a patient with alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.79-81
• /
• 2020

Treatment options for children with end-stage heart failure are limited. We report the first case of a successful pediatric heart transplantation bridged with a durable left ventricular assist device in Korea. A 10-month-old female infant with dilated cardiomyopathy and left ventricular non-compaction was listed for heart transplantation. During the waiting period, the patient's status deteriorated. Therefore, we decided to provide support with a durable left ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplantation. The patient was successfully bridged to heart transplantation with effective support and without any major adverse events.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.22-28
• /
• 2013

It is important to begin left ventricular assist device (LVAD) treatment at appropriate time for heart failure patients who expect cardiac recovery after the therapy. In order to predict the optimal timing of LVAD implantation, we predicted pumping efficacy of LVAD according to the severity of heart failure theoretically. We used LVAD-implanted cardiovascular system model which consist of 8 Windkessel compartments for the simulation study. The time-varying compliance theory was used to simulate ventricular pumping function in the model. The ventricular systolic dysfunction was implemented by increasing the end-systolic ventricular compliance. Using the mathematical model, we predicted cardiac responses such as left ventricular peak pressure, cardiac output, ejection fraction, and stroke work according to the severity of ventricular systolic dysfunction under the treatments of continuous and pulsatile LVAD. Left ventricular peak pressure, which indicates the ventricular loading condition, decreased maximally at the 1st level heart-failure under pulsatile LVAD therapy and 2nd level heart-failure under continuous LVAD therapy. We conclude that optimal timing for pulsatile LVAD treatment is 1st level heart-failure and for continuous LVAD treatment is 2nd level heart-failure when considering LVAD treatment as "bridge to recovery".

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.407-410
• /
• 2015

A two-month-old infant presented with coarctation of the aorta, severe left ventricular dysfunction, and moderate to severe mitral regurgitation. Through median sternotomy, the aortic arch was repaired under cardiopulmonary bypass and regional cerebral perfusion. The patient was postoperatively supported with a left ventricular assist device for five days. Left ventricular function gradually improved, eventually recovering with the concomitant regression of mitral regurgitation. Prompt surgical repair of coarctation of the aorta is indicated for patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction. A central approach for surgical repair with a back-up left ventricular assist device is a safe and effective treatment strategy for these patients.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.33-38
• /
• 2002

A Ventricular Assist Device(YAD) is used to support the injured natural heart So. when considering a control algorithm for YAD. it is important to reduce a natural heart's load to enhance its recovery condition. To reduce natural heart's load, a counterpulsation algorithm is used commonly. In this study, we developed a counterpulsation control algorithm for moving-actuator type VAD and tested its usefulness using in vitro MOCK circulatory system. To notice a natural heart's Pumping status, electrocardiogram(ECG) signal was used and as a result of test. the counterpulsation effect between YAD and a natural heart was occurred and Automatic Control Mode Transition was occurred properly.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.27 no.12
• /
• pp.977-983
• /
• 1994

From April 1989 to December 1993, total 39 patients who were unable to be weaned off CPB or expected fatal immediate postoperiatively, were treated with ventricular assist device [VAD] or extracorporeal membrane oxygenator[ECMO] at the Royal Children`s Hospital, Melbourne. Ages ranged from 3 day to 19.4 year old and body weights from 2.0Kg to 70Kg. Twenty-seven[69.2%] of 39 patients were weaned to be decannulated successfully and sixteen[41.0%] survived to hospital discharge and late survival rate was twelve[30.8%] of 39 patients. The total follow-up period was 4 to 56 months [32.92$\pm$20.77months] and most of the late survivals showed good myocardial recovery state. From the viewpoint of the assist modality, 29 patients were treated with VAD and among them, 23 were weaned from assist successfully, but among the 8 ECMO patients, only 3 could be weaned, and both modalities were performed to the 2 patients with one weaned. The total duration of assist was from 8 to 428 hours and there was a significant difference between hospital discharged group and hospital death group, which were 83.13$\pm$31.29 hours vs 147.52$\pm$112.03 hours[P=0.032]. Conclusively, at the critical postcardiotomy situation of the paediatrtic patients including various congenital complex disease and procedures, we can choose this VAD or ECMO treatment strategy as the reasonable life saving way except transplantation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.57 no.2
• /
• pp.184-194
• /
• 2024

Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are widely employed as a therapeutic option for end-stage heart failure. We evaluated the outcomes associated with centrifugal-flow LVAD implantation, comparing 2 device models: the Heartmate 3 (HM3) and the Heartware Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD). Methods: Data were collected from patients who underwent LVAD implantation between June 1, 2015 and December 31, 2022. We analyzed overall survival, first rehospitalization, and early, late, and LVAD-related complications. Results: In total, 74 patients underwent LVAD implantation, with 42 receiving the HM3 and 32 the HVAD. A mild Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support score was more common among HM3 than HVAD recipients (p=0.006), and patients receiving the HM3 exhibited lower rates of preoperative ventilator use (p=0.010) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (p=0.039). The overall early mortality rate was 5.4% (4 of 74 patients), with no significant difference between groups. Regarding early right ventricular (RV) failure, HM3 implantation was associated with a lower rate (13 of 42 [31.0%]) than HVAD implantation (18 of 32 [56.2%], p=0.051). The median rehospitalization-free period was longer for HM3 recipients (16.9 months) than HVAD recipients (5.3 months, p=0.013). Furthermore, HM3 recipients displayed a lower incidence of late hemorrhagic stroke (p=0.016). In the multivariable analysis, preoperative use of continuous renal replacement therapy (odds ratio, 22.31; p=0.002) was the only significant predictor of postoperative RV failure. Conclusion: The LVAD models (HM3 and HVAD) demonstrated comparable overall survival rates. However, the HM3 was associated with a lower risk of late hemorrhagic stroke.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.247-252
• /
• 1997

Ten acute and chronic in vivo studies were utilized to develop a pneumatic ventricular assist device (VAD) as a bridge to heart transplantation or a circulatory assist device for patients with end-stage heart disease or poor myocardial funct on after cardiac surgery. Two sizes of blood pump of 70cc for adult patients and 34cc for pediatric patients were implanted in the animals. Ventricle of the blood pump was made from the polyurethaae to enhance antithrombogenecity. The VAD was implanted between the left atrium and the descending aorta. Average flow rate was 2.38 L/min for adult and 0.41 L/min for pediatric VAD at the rate of 60 bum. The duration of support ranged from 1 to 26 hours. The most frequent complication was bleeding. Main causes of death were heart failure and respiratory failure. The device function was good for short term use. Studies to date suggest that, with further refinement, a reliable long term VAD that will have clinical application can be developed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.147-150
• /
• 2023

A child being supported with an extracorporeal ventricular assist device, such as the Berlin Heart EXCOR (Berlin Heart GmbH, Berlin, Germany), must have at least 2 large cannulae for a long period. Management of cannula wounds is crucial since a cannula forms a track of prosthetic material passing the mediastinum to the heart. Deep wound complications, if they occur, can be troublesome and difficult to control with conventional methods. We applied vacuum-assisted closure to a patient who had Berlin-Heart EXCOR and a gap at the cannulation site. Herein, we describe the technical aspects of management in detail.